US7149106B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Spin-transfer based MRAM using angular-dependent selectivity
Assignee: Everspin Technologies Inc
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Filing: 2004-10-22
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Granted: 2006-12-12
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Expires: 2024-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) device can be selectively written using spin-transfer reflection mode techniques. Selectivity of a designated MRAM cell within an MRAM array is achieved by the dependence of the spin-transfer switching current on the relative angle between the magnetizations of the polarizer element and the free magnetic element in the MRAM cell. The polarizer element has a variable magnetization that can be altered in response to the application of a current, e.g., a digit line current. When the magnetization of the polarizer element is in the natural default orientation, the data in the MRAM cell is preserved. When the magnetization of the polarizer element is switched, the data in the MRAM cell can be written in response to the application of a relatively low write current.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick B. Mancoff
- 👤 Bradley N. Engel
- 👤 Nicholas D. Rizzo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 19:14
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11C; G11C11/00; G11C11/02; G11C11/16; G11C11/165; G11C11/1675; G11C11/161; G11C11/1659
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) device comprising: a magnetic polarizer having a first variable magnetization; a conducting digit line configured to provide a digit current that alters an orientation of said first variable magnetization; a free magnetic element having a second variable magnetization; and a conducting spacer element between said magnetic polarizer and said free magnetic element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) device comprising: a magnetic polarizer having a first variable magnetization; a conducting digit line configured to provide a digit current that alters an orientation of said first variable magnetization; a free magnetic element having a second variable magnetization; and a conducting spacer element between said magnetic polarizer and said free magnetic element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
An MRAM device according to claim 1 , wherein said free magnetic element is selectively programmed using angular dependence of spin-transfer interaction with said magnetic polarizer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An MRAM device according to claim 1 , further comprising a conducting digit line for providing a digit current for switching orientation of said first variable magnetization.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
An MRAM device according to claim 1 , wherein: said magnetic polarizer comprises a first magnetic easy axis; and said free magnetic element comprises a second magnetic easy axis orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
An MRAM device according to claim 4 , wherein application of said digit current to said conducting digit line causes orientation of said first variable magnetization to become misaligned with said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An MRAM device according to claim 5 , wherein application of said digit current to said conducting digit line causes orientation of said first variable magnetization to become orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An MRAM device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a fixed magnet element; and a tunnel barrier element between said free magnetic element and said fixed magnet element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An MRAM device according to claim 1 , further comprising a conducting write line for providing a spin-transfer write current to said magnetic polarizer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
An MRAM device according to claim 1 , wherein said magnetic polarizer comprises: a first polarizer element having said first variable magnetization and a first magnetic easy axis; and a second polarizer element having a third variable magnetization and said first magnetic easy axis, said third variable magnetization being anti-parallel to said first variable magnetization in a default condition.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An MRAM device according to claim 9 , further comprising a conducting digit line for providing a digit current for switching orientation of said third variable magnetization off of said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
An MRAM device according to claim 10 , wherein said digit current switches orientation of said first variable magnetization and said third variable magnetization such that said first variable magnetization is anti-parallel to said third variable magnetization.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
A magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) device comprising: a magnetic polarizer having a first variable magnetization and a first magnetic easy axis that defines a natural orientation of said first variable magnetization; a free magnetic element having a second variable magnetization and a second magnetic easy axis that defines a natural orientation of said second variable magnetization, said second magnetic easy axis being orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis; and a conducting spacer element between said magnetic polarizer and said free magnetic element.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
A magnetic random access memory (“MRAM”) device comprising: a magnetic polarizer having a first variable magnetization and a first magnetic easy axis that defines a natural orientation of said first variable magnetization; a free magnetic element having a second variable magnetization and a second magnetic easy axis that defines a natural orientation of said second variable magnetization, said second magnetic easy axis being orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis; and a conducting spacer element between said magnetic polarizer and said free magnetic element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An MRAM device according to claim 12 , wherein the free magnetic element is selectively programmed using angular dependence of spin-transfer interaction with said magnetic polarizer.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
An MRAM device according to claim 12 , further comprising a conductor for providing a current for switching orientation of said first variable magnetization off of said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
An MRAM device according to claim 14 , wherein application of said current to said conductor switches orientation of said first variable magnetization to become orthogonal to said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
An MRAM device according to claim 14 , further comprising: a fixed magnet element; and a tunnel barrier element between said free magnetic element and said liked magnet element.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
An MRAM device according to claim 14 , further comprising a second conductor for providing a spin-transfer write current to said magnetic polarizer.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
An MRAM device according to claim 14 , wherein said magnetic polarizer comprises: a first polarizer element having said first magnetization and said first magnetic easy axis; a second polarizer element having a third magnetization and said first magnetic easy axis, said third magnetization being anti-parallel to said first magnetization in a default condition.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
An MRAM device according to claim 18 , wherein said current switches orientation of said third variable magnetization off of said first magnetic easy axis.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
An MRAM device according to claim 19 , wherein said current switches orientation of said first variable magnetization and said third variable magnetization such that said first variable magnetization is anti-parallel to said third variable magnetization.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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